FOUNDING DIRECTOR/NATURALIST CAROLYN COREY JARIN RETIRES

When I think about the tremendous impact Carolyn has had on environmental education, I feel it is because she so strongly believes that if everyone could be educated to understand, love, and value nature and our environment, most of the world's problems could be solved."
Sandy Teel Trainer, Past President, Friends of PVNC

"When I think of the Peace Valley Nature Center my minds eye sees Corey Jarin. How blessed we have been to be the beneficiaries of her vision, perseverance and dedication."
Joseph Conti, State Senator

"I am only one of thousands she taught and inspired. Continue to teach Corey. Continue to share your enthusiasm and knowledge about the wonders of nature and thousands more will be enriched by your gifts!"
Shelley Taylor, Past Director of Education at PVNC

"Awakening the senses, mind and spirit to the awe of Nature is a priceless gift to give someone. Corey Jarin has enriched the lives of countless children and children-at-heart in this way. What a generous woman. What a powerful legacy."
Debbie Risko, Teacher/Naturalist, PVNC

"Each year over 3,000 fifth and sixth graders learn about the natural world through field programs delivered by Peace Valley Nature Center. The legacy for environmental education that Carolyn has left us is tremendous!"
George Mehler, Supervisor of Science and Secondary Technology, Central Bucks School District

"The seeds of environmental awareness and stewardship that Corey has planted will live on and grow through the many lives she has touched and taught. There is no other person that I have known that is as dedicated and steadfast in her commitment to the care and protection of our fragile environment than Corey. She will be missed, but the legacy she leaves behind will continue to grow."
Christopher G. Stieber, Director, Churchville Nature Center

"If one accomplishment outshines them all it's the fact that Corey taught countless thousands of school children that they are not the only creatures on the planet and humans are far more dependent on other creatures than they are on humans."
Carl Wagner, PVNC carpentry volunteer

"Whether she knew it or not, Corey's vision for Peace Valley Nature Center included creating a safe-haven for youth to find out about themselves as well as the natural world. Corey's natural enthusiasm for environmental education was a catalyst for me and I remember thinking "I want to do that" after I followed along on one of her school walks. Her invitation for me to come to a Naturalist Training class led to an internship at PVNC and a career as an educator."
Chris Wolfe, former PVNC intern

"The birding community of Peace Valley Nature Center wishes to pay tribute to Carolyn Jarin for her unending efforts to make the Valley attractive to the wildlife that both inhabit and rest in migration through it. We applaud her efforts to educate the young in the values of natural science and to give this science a strong voice in the future for all living things."
Ron French, former PVNC Bird Walk leader

"Corey's impact on environmental education is so far-reaching that we will never know its full extent. We can only trust the rippling effect of her teachings as each child and adult expresses love of nature and care of the environment by passing it on to the next generation."
Carole Sgrillo, Past Director of Education at PVNC

"In founding Peace Valley Nature Center, Corey Jarin has given us a very special place -- a model of what environmental education can be -- an ongoing invitation and opportunity to learn what we need to know well: that we are stewards of this earth and had better pay close attention to it."
Betsy Moore, Past President of the Friends of PVNC


CHUCK'S BIRD PROFILE
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD

Everyone thinks that a robin on the front lawn is the first sign of spring. But an even better signal of the end of winter is the song of the Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

The adult male Red-winged Blackbird is easily recognizable with it's glossy black plumage and bold red patches, bordered by yellow, at the shoulder. Females look like large sparrows, dark brown above, heavily streaked below, usually with off-white eyebrow markings. They both have dark legs and claws, and are about 8 1/2" in length, though the male is larger. They have sharply pointed bills.

Their bill shape tends to make these blackbirds generalized feeders, eating whatever they can find. As breeders, they consume mostly insects, which they also feed to their young. During winter, they eat mostly seeds and grains, especially corn and rice. The complex muscles around the bill allows them to perform "gaping", an adaptation where the bill can be inserted into a substrate (the ground,vegetation, bark, etc.) then opened, prying apart the substrate. The birds can rotate their eyes forward to see directly between their jaws into the hole they created, looking for food.

Females breed first at 1 to 2 years old, males at 2 to 3 years old. These statistics support polygyny, where a single male can mate with many females. Once a male establishes a territory, he will defend it vigorously against other male blackbirds and just about anything else. Nests are like bulky cups of soft vegetation, and can be on the ground, in reeds or bushes and even trees. Incubation and feeding of young is the sole responsibility of the female, but in her absence, males have been known to take over the feeding chores. Chicks become independent in as little as 24 days after hatching.

After the breeding season, huge numbers of blackbirds will migrate south together, resulting in large communal populations. At this time, they can become pests, eating ripening crops. Because they are one of the most common and widespread birds in North America, little is done to protect Red-winged Blackbirds from habitat loss and agricultural deterrents.

In March, male blackbirds return to Peace Valley and establish their territories. They can start singing even when there is snow on the ground. Females return later. Look for the flashing red shoulder patch and listen for that good old song "konk-la-reee".

Chuck Crunkleton leads PVNC's birding field trips. He also shares Saturday and Evening Bird Walks with August Mirabella.


NATURE CENTER NOTES


WISH LIST

The nature center is looking for donations of the following:
-Portable DVD player for store displays
-Someone to sell items for us on e-bay
-Child friendly binoculars
-Rowboat oars
-LCD Projector
If you would like to donate any of these items, call us at 215-345-7860.


WE PROFIT FROM YOUR GROCERY SHOPPING!

Peace Valley Nature Center receives a percentage of purchases you make at these two stores:

Acme - Save your register tapes and put them in the bluebird box in the building foyer. Thanks to Marianna Hoffman for adding and preparing these tapes for redemption.

Genuardi's - register your Genuardi's Club Card. Call us or register online at www.escrip.com, or in the store. Designate the Friends of Peace Valley Nature Center, Group ID #150301483. We'll receive a donation automatically each time you shop and use your card. If you've registered in the past a renewal is now necessary to keep it active. Call Louise for information.


KEEP FEEDING THE BIRDS!

The warm winds of spring will soon be here. Many people assume that with milder temperatures, the birds will have plenty of food. Unfortunately, the end of winter and early spring is when the supply of berries and seeds are low after winter foraging by nature center fauna. With this in mind, keep feeding the birds! Inside our barn we have a nice selection of seed to make the birds happy! Our Audubon mix is made without the junk filler present in many mixes. Black oil sunflower is always a good choice. We also have niger, cracked corn and suet cakes. Funds raised from the seed sales benefit our education programs.


E-MAIL UPDATES LIST

If you are a member and would like to receive updated information about PVNC and its activities via e-mail, send your e-mail address to: peacevalleynaturecenter@co.bucks.pa.us and we will add you to our list.


INKJET CARTRIDGE RECYCLING

The nature center is continuing its ongoing project to recycle inkjet cartridges. Deposit your used cartridges from home or work in the foyer of the solar building. Make sure you check the list for acceptable brands. Thank you Chris Minnich for overseeing this earth friendly fundraiser!


VOLUNTEER NEWS

VOLUNTEER DAY

Wednesday, March 22, 11:30 am - 3 pm
It's time for our annual Volunteer Day! Grab your pen make a note of it on your calendar. Lunch will start at 11:30 am. Please bring a dish to share. After lunch James Bobb, the President of the PA State Beekeepers Association, will present "Sex in the Garden," a program about insect pollinators. It should be interesting! Give us a call to let us know if you are coming. We hope you can join us on March 22nd!


OUTDOOR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

The nature center needs help with preserving our preserve! Exotic species such as Multiflora Rose, Japanese Honeysuckle and stilt grass are crowding out our native plants. We need volunteers to clip, dig or hack them back from our trails and in our meadows. With your help, we can stop these and other invasive species from taking over our property. We also need help caring for our gardens (herb, wildflower and butterfly) around the building. Please call 215-345-7860 and ask for Craig.


SOLAR RENOVATION IS NEARING COMPLETION

What started out as a dream to create a better future is now becoming a reality. Our solar renovation is nearing completion. The foundation has been poured and the framing is up. If all goes well we should have our "green" renovation completed by early spring. It has been fascinating to see the subtle differences in building techniques used by Sunpower Builders. Wood and blue stone have been salvaged from the demolition process to be used in the new construction. Plastic roofing and large glass windows have been recycled. Cement block duct work has been laid in the thermo-mass floor to provide a passive solar heat source and ventilation system. We are looking forward to seeing the many other conservation methods to be utilized in the building process. It is a credit to the dedication of the Nature Center and its members that they are willing to support an outstanding example of conservation building methods. Financial support from the Bucks and Montgomery Homebuilders Association ($20,000), Doylestown Nature Club ($5,000), C&M Homebuilders, Inc. ($2,500) Jeffery and Mary Jo Buckwalter ($1,000) is much appreciated. Our mission, to provide the best environmental educational possible, is once again being achieved due to all those who believe that the care and understanding of our environment is an important part of everyone's education.

We are still looking for donations for this renovation project, to provide displays, and to develop programs to demonstrate the "green" principles that are used in our solar renovation.

Cindy Long is the President of the Friends of PVNC.


DEL VAL STUDENTS LANDSCAPE
FOR NATURE

Students from Delaware Valley College recently took on the challenge to create landscape designs for four different areas around Peace Valley Nature Center. The nature center's solar addition is currently under reconstruction and new plantings will be needed around the building once construction is completed. Eve Minson, a professor of Environmental Design at Delaware Valley College, learned about the need and thought it would be a great opportunity for her students to work on a real project and also to contribute to the nature center. Over six weeks, Carolyn Corey Jarin, the director of Peace Valley Nature Center, Professor Minson, and her students worked together to develop designs. There were many different considerations to take into account such as using native plants, making it educational, using deer resistant plantings, keeping important views open, and using plants that provide a variety of food for birds. Professor Minson's students created seven different professional designs which included detailed plant lists, before and after pictures, and displays that can be placed into the finished landscaped areas for educational purposes. The nature center is hoping to incorporate some of these designs into their landscaping starting next spring.



PURCHASE AN AMERICAN LIBERTY ELM

American Elms used to be a fixture on streets throughout the nation. Dutch Elm Disease decimated the American Elm and drastically changed the look of our cities, towns and villages. However, all is not lost. You can help bring them back!

The Friends of Peace Valley Nature Center are selling American Liberty Elms developed by the Elm Research Institute of New Hampshire based on fifty years of selection and research. Each tree comes with a lifetime warranty against Dutch Elm disease and a brass medallion that can be mounted on the trunk indicating that it is an American Liberty Elm. The American Liberty Elm is not available from commercial nurseries.

A limited supply of these special trees from six to over ten feet tall will be available for Spring planting in late March. The Liberty Elms can be planted along your street, in your yard, or in a public place such as a park, school, or church. Please call the Nature Center to check on availability and price. This project has been a wonderful fundraiser for PVNC. The proceeds from this program are used to fund environmental education programs at the nature center. It is also an excellent "hands-on" way for people to help re-establish the American Elm.